Commissioner of Police Erale Samuel Etaifo will coordinate security operations as 14 candidates prepare for the August 15 governorship poll

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed Commissioner of Police Erale Samuel Etaifo to Osun State to oversee the security architecture for the August 15 governorship election, as the Nigeria Police Force pledges a peaceful and credible poll.

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The Etaifo Osun election deployment was announced in a statement signed by the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, and obtained by journalists in Osogbo on Friday.

According to Ojelabi, the deployment reflects Disu’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

The police said the move was also aimed at ensuring a secure electoral environment for voters, electoral officials, observers, media practitioners and other law-abiding residents across the state.

Etaifo, who is the Commissioner of Police for Election, will coordinate election security operations in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

His responsibilities will include ensuring compliance with the Electoral Act, the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty and other laws governing the electoral process.

The police statement said the deployment was part of broader efforts to strengthen public confidence in the election and ensure that security arrangements do not compromise the rights of citizens or the integrity of the ballot.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Rilwan Olatunji Disu, PSC(+), NPM, in line with his unwavering commitment to neutrality, professionalism, and the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, has deployed CP Election, CP Erale Samuel Etaifo, to Osun State to oversee the security architecture for the forthcoming gubernatorial election,” the statement read.

The Osun State Police Command said adequate security measures had been put in place across the state to protect lives, property and critical electoral materials before, during and after the poll.

“All officers and men deployed for election duty have been directed to remain impartial, professional, and respectful of the rights of every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation,” the command said.

The police also issued a stern warning to political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against actions capable of disrupting public order.

Ojelabi said electoral violence, vote buying, voter intimidation, misinformation and other forms of criminality would be met with the full weight of the law.

The command urged residents to remain peaceful, cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious activities through established emergency channels.

The deployment comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the August 15 election, which will feature 14 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The election is being closely watched amid heightened political mobilisation and concerns over the neutrality of security agencies.

Political parties have previously raised competing allegations concerning the conduct of security personnel, making the police commitment to impartiality a key issue in the final days before voting.

With the poll approaching, the effectiveness of Etaifo’s assignment will be closely linked to the ability of security agencies to maintain order while protecting voters’ freedom to participate without intimidation.

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The police have reiterated that their role is to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that the people of Osun State can exercise their democratic rights in a secure and peaceful environment.